The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26

the ordinary expenditures OF tho GoVefnmSnL
not including pensions or payments upon the
principal and interest Of the war debt have
enormously outgrown the increase Of popular
ton and public business Is proposition
which can be mathematically demonstrated;
and. as this is reversal of the rule that pro-
walls under sound and healthy conditions OF
the public service, it proves the existence OF
some vice in our present system that ought to
be eradicated. Since the fourth OF March,
1861, the Democratic party has not had control
Of both the Legislative and Executive depart
ments Of the Government for single day, nor
has it, since that date, had control OF both
branches of the Legislative department
at the same time. It can not there
fore, be justly held responsible either
for the legislation or the Executive
policy under which this great increase of ex-
penditures was inaugurated and maintained.
With the oppo sition OF Republican Senate,
the Democratic House Of Representatives has
SO far been unable either to repeal or amend
existing laws, or properly to curtal expendi-
lures under them; and although the present
Administration has succeeded. by careful at
tention to details In efiecting very considerable
savings In many branches of the public service,
the aggregate is still much too large, and ought
to be further reduced. But this can be done
only by legislation, and II the task is intellt-
gently performed, upon definite system or
plan which comprehends the whole subject the
expenditures will be greatly diminished, and at
the same time the efficiency Of the public serv-
ice will be materially promoted. There is now
too much machinery for the work to be done,
and too many engineers in charge OF it. There
are too many bureaus, divisions and subdivi.
sions in and about the various departments,
and too little concentration OF labor and Official
responsibility. This complexities and confuses
the operations Of the Government, and makes
the transaction Of the public business tedious
and annoying to the people, and at the same
time it compels the retention of many officials
| and employees whose services might otherwise
| be dispensed with.
There is no reason to believe that the Re
| publican party would make, or attempt to
make, any substantial reduction Of expendl-
lures, or give its support to this necessary re.
| form in the public service. 1t could not dc
either without repudiating its past policy and
| undoing its own work.
II we look beyond the ordinary outlay fol
| the support of the Government, and consider
| the general course OF the two parties IN reia'
| ton to the appropriation and expenditure OF
| the public money for other purposes, the diff
ference between them is, II possible, sti II more
| important. In the matter Of pensions espe-
cially, the Republican party, in and out OF Con
| gress, has thoroughly committed itself to
policy which, If carried out, would bankrupt the
country, or, at the very least, subject the peo
pie to . burden of taxation that would seriously
cripple and embarrass all their indus
tries. While it Is just and polite
that Government Ike ours, which
maintains no large standing army, should
grant liberal pensions to its wounded and dis.
abled soldiers and sailors, and to the widows
and dependent relatives OF those who have died
the rights and interests of the great body OF the
people, who pay the taxes, carry on the INDUS
! tries and develop the resources Of the country
should not be entirely disregarded. Already
| the United States are expanding annually, or
| account Of military and naval pensions, more
| than is paid by all the other Governments II
| the world combined; and as time passes AMI
| conditions change-as old age and disease over
| take the survivors Of the late war, and the
wealth of the country worcestershire benefits
! the law will be extended and the allowance!
augmented, until finally all who can show {
reasonable term Of service and an honorable
discharge will receive the generous aid of tn
Government. This policy is not only right II
ITSELF but it accords with the past course OF tn
| Government toward the soldiers OF other wars
and no public man Of either party should op
pose 1t. But there is q limit to the tax-payin
power OF the people, and the real friend OF tn
soldier-not the mere politician who is seekin
votes at the expense OF the publ
treasury, but the responsible legislator
who foresees the consequences Of hi
action, and wants justice done to all classes
will proceed slowly and cautiously in matte
involving such vital interests. The Republican
party is in no proper condition to control lsgis
lation upon this subject. 1t can not halt with
out violating its pledges to the soldiers, and
can not proceed without doing an irreparabl
| wrong to the taxpayers.